NFL hands Packers an advantage in crucial Lions matchup on 2024 schedule

The Green Bay Packers will have to be at their best to beat the Detroit Lions this season.

We now know when the two teams will meet on the 2024 schedule. The Packers host the Lions at Lambeau Field in Week 9, and they meet again on Thursday Night Football, one week after they both play on Thanksgiving.

Detroit has won its previous two games at Lambeau Field, something Green Bay can't allow to happen again if it has serious ambitions of regaining the NFC North title.

The Lions have outplayed the Packers in the previous two home games, but the NFL schedule makers have helped Green Bay out.

Lions game at Packers will be their first outdoor game of the season

An early November game is unlikely to bring bitter temperatures to Green Bay. However, there is a notable element to this matchup.

The Lions will have played eight straight indoor games to open the season. Their first experience with the added outdoor elements comes in Week 9. Lambeau Field can bring challenging winds and colder temperatures, and, depending on the weather, the slippery surface can also be an issue for opposing players.

Jared Goff's numbers are far better indoors. Here are his splits from last season:

Indoors

• Record: 11-3
• Completion percentage: 69.8
• Passing yards: 3,545
• Passing touchdowns: 26
• Interceptions: 8
• Passer rating: 105.2

Outdoors

• Record: 3-3
• Completion percentage: 63.9
• Passing yards: 1,867
• Passing touchdowns: 8
• Interceptions: 4
• Passer rating: 88.0

Detroit lost half of its outdoor games last season, while Goff had a far lower completion percentage and four interceptions in just six games. Of course, he played well at Lambeau Field, but his overall statistics outdoors are far worse. The Packers hope a new defensive philosophy will make it tougher for Goff this time.

Goff's numbers on grass compared to turf are even more surprising.

Last season, on turf, Goff threw 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions with a 105.5 rating. But on grass, he had just five touchdowns with four interceptions and an 82.0 rating.

Goff is more than capable of leading the Lions' offense at Lambeau Field. We've seen it two years in a row. But considering it will be the Lions' first outdoor game nine weeks into the season, they may not be prepared.

And that plays into the Packers' hands.

More Packers news and analysis